Army offering ‘golden hellos’ to former drug-taking troops
FORMER ARMY troops axed for illegal drugs offences are being paid up to £10,000 to return to service in “specialised roles”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.
A national newspaper reported that the payments were being offered to former troops to “plug a shortage” in the fighting force.
A spokesperson for the MoD confirmed that payments are being offered to former troops, but only in some cases to personnel in specialist roles and ranks.
The Mail on Sunday’s report said that troops expelled following drugs offences were being contacted by MoD officials and told they can qualify for “golden hello” payments.
The report said the troops could return to active duty at the same rank, but did not specify that the payments were only available to personnel re-joining in specialist roles.
The paper reported that Falklands War hero Simon Weston, 57, said he is “truly appalled” by the decision.
He said: “That troops have been discharged for taking drugs can qualify for jobs which come with £10,000 ‘golden hellos’, and keep their old ranks, adds insult to injury.
“It is such a kick in the teeth for long-serving soldiers who have obeyed the rules and resisted temptation to see former colleagues who displayed such a lack of discipline and lack of respect for the Army’s values swanning back into their regiments.”
The right to reapply is given to all soldiers who are discharged for taking illegal drugs.
This covers specialist soldiers, who remain eligible to apply to a financial reward scheme if they rejoin the Army.
If they complete a period of service, they could be given up to £10,000 under the scheme.
The Army does not have figures for the number of soldiers who have reapplied to join after a drugs-related discharge.
However, it is understood the number of specialist soldiers who may have reapplied to join Army with such a discharge is small.
An Army spokesperson said: “We have always welcomed applications from individuals whose circumstances have changed since their time of leaving the Army. Those re-applying must meet our high standards in order to re-join the Army and all applications are considered on a caseby-case basis.
“In some cases, payments are available for personnel re-joining in specialist roles and ranks.”
It is such a kick in the teeth for soldiers who have obeyed the rules. Falklands War hero Simon Weston.